This second installment picks up shortly after the events of Ready Player One and quickly fast-forwards. Wade Watts and the surviving members of the High Five are now in charge of running the OASIS, an online simulation that also helps run the world. Not long after winning James Halliday's original contest, Wade stumbles upon another Easter egg hidden within Halliday's vaults. Inside the egg is a new technology that allows users to experience the OASIS in an incredibly immersive, and addictive, way. It also triggers a fresh quest. A powerful new nemesis appears, forcing Wade, Samantha, Aech, and Shoto to come together to find the rest of the quest items in a life-or-death race against the clock. Many readers will enjoy Cline's trademark deep dives into pop culture references from the 1980s, though some may not connect with readers unfamiliar with the source material. Wil Wheaton, who narrated Ready Player One, once again brings something special to the story through his enthusiastic reading, giving parts that may drag on the page a bit more life and excitement. VERDICT The story will make much more sense, and be far more enjoyable, to listeners already familiar with Ready Player One (either the book or the movie) and those who have general knowledge about movies, music, and games from the 80s. The audiobook version is definitely worth the time investment due to Wheaton's expert narration.--Courtney Pentland, Omaha, NE

The planet remains a dismal place, but for most of humanity, the computer-generated world of OASIS offers a refuge from reality's harshness. Having won Halliday's Easter Egg hunt at the end of Ready Player One (2011), Wade Watts has everything he ever wanted: fame, fortune, and friends. A few days later, an avatar of his idol James Halliday appears, giving Wade a powerful new device, one that can change the world for good--or make things even worse. Wade "only" has to decide if humanity is ready for the new technology. He chooses to release it, and shortly afterwards a mysterious new riddle is announced, one that only Halliday's heir can solve. As in the previous book, there are plenty of 1980s pop culture references including a hilarious visit to the films of John Hughes and a mad race through a world devoted to Prince. Cline's fans will enjoy revisiting old friends and meeting new ones as they go on a whirlwind trip through a fantastic new virtual quest to save the world.